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KATHRYN YARBRO Guest columnist Have you got your pumpkin yet, your Thanksgiving turkey or your Santa Claus suit? Why wait until the last minute when they seem to be everywhere? I guess this time of my life is what causes me to want to picket holidays. When finish with that,…

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The first same-sex marriages in Lincoln County history took place on Monday. When the dust settles, when — like all civil rights reforms — the new changes become the cultural norm, both liberals and conservatives will recognize that the ruling that struck down North Carolina’s discriminatory constitutional same-sex marriage ban,…

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Sykes will be missed Just over 20 years ago, I, as administrator of Lincoln County Hospital, recruited Dr. Paul Sykes to this community. Medical staff by-laws required strict reviews of all physicians wishing to obtain admitting privileges at Lincoln County Hospital. Upon completion of his review, it was determined that…

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The City of Lincolnton, somehow, lost track of around $150,000, according to councilman Martin Eaddy. The missing revenue is from sewer customers who live outside of the city limits who didn’t pay their bills. The city has enrolled in a debt collection service through the state to collect a portion…

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KATHRYN YARBRO Guest Columnist I’ve always heard that a heavy crop of acorns means a very cold winter. If that’s true, then gather up your blankets because never have I seen so many as we’ve had this year, and they are still falling. If there was a market for them,…

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The announcement on Monday that the Supreme Court wouldn’t hear appeals related to five states’ same-sex marriage bans was, predictably, met with equal amounts of joy and derision from both sides of the argument. What everyone can agree on is that the issue hasn’t been resolved. Same-sex marriage supporters said…

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The Lincolnton Police Department’s recent purchase of 10 body-worn cameras for patrol officers is a step in the right direction toward transparency and accountability in the city’s law enforcement activities. But, thanks to North Carolina’s laughable public records statutes, the vast majority of the footage obtained through the cameras won’t…

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KATHRYN YARBRO Guest Columnist I’ve always loved that old adage that if you want something done, “ask a busy person.” And many times I have relied on that expression and the work would soon be finished. I know a woman who never believed in that. When she wanted something done,…

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Chief should have final say on police policy As a retired police captain, I think body cameras are a great idea for the protection of the public and the police officers, but why should the policies regarding their use have to go through the City Council? They are not cops.…

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The recent spate of domestic violence incidents allegedly perpetrated by NFL players has brought the issue once again into the national spotlight and has spurred a conversation that absolutely needed to happen. But, unfortunately, the narrative has been co-opted into an opportunity for pundits and politicians to rail against the…